12/5/10 Rangers vs. Senators

Bring em' out, bring em' out.

Rangers at home against the Ottawa Senators.

With a successful sweep of the Islanders home at home series, the Rangers have built up a nice cushion in the Eastern conference of 33 points. With a less eventful, yet satisfying shutout victory on Friday, the momentum is definitely headed in the Rangers favor. The defense has been doing a wonderful job of shutting down opposing teams' star players, and the offense has been getting it done when needed most. Along with that, the Rangers home record is improving to 6-7-1. All of the cogs are coming together smoothly for the Rangers, and they are starting to look like a team that should be taken seriously.

The Senators are stuck in the 11th position in the Eastern conference, and are having some trouble getting the goals. They have been shutout in two consecutive games, their most recent being yesterdays 1-0 shootout loss to the Sabres. With Daniel Alfredsson leading this team with only eight goals, the Senators are -22 in the goals for/goals against ratio, the fourth worst GF/GA differential in the league. However, with no noticeable injuries plaguing them, its hard to see how they have wound up in this position. Brian Elliot is having to do all the work, with Pascal Leclaire putting up an abysmal record of 1-6-1, which is probably the main factor. And, with only Robin Lehner as their secondary backup, they have no room to maneuver as far as goaltending goes.

My Diagnosis

With the Rangers coming off of their successful home at home, and then jumping straight into this one, I feel a sense of comfortability has settled in the Rangers locker room. With Henrik Lundqvist back at top performance again, the Rangers look as though they could handle themselves well during this game. The one thing they need to remember is that the Senators are not as bad as the Islanders. This game will not be so easy with threats like Daniel Alfredsson and Alex Kovalev. They need to get the focus that this game may not be as easy as the games against the Islanders.

My Predictions


Rangers win 3-2

Brandon Dubinsky will break it open early in the 1st period.
Alex Kovalev will follow it up late in the same period to get the Senators on the board.
Milan Michalek will give the Senators the lead early in the 2nd period.
Brian Boyle will get one to tie it up also in the 2nd.
And finally, Erik Christensen will get the game winning goal.

Enjoy the game everyone!